Today, the Philippines is a lower-middle-income country with a growing consumption-

driven economy. The rich have gotten richer, the middle class has grown but is still vulnerable,
and roughly one-quarter of the population is still poor.

I hope that we will be able to live the comfortable and secure lives that we deserve, where
we will be protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government. Nobody is poor, and
no one ever goes hungry. Families and friends are easily accessible because transportation is
both convenient and affordable; children receive a high-quality education; and everyone has
access to decent jobs that provide a stable income; and there are opportunities for
entrepreneurship. I also hope for the day when Filipinos will be able to put their trust in the
government because it is free of corruption and provides equal service to all of its citizens.